Am I being a bad neighbor

[candg4ever]

First thing I'd do is try to talk with the kids themselves. A lot of people sell children way too short. If you talk to them like adults and treat them with some respect, it can really win points. Very often, kids rebel because no one takes them seriously and treats them like, well, kids. If you show them some respect, they might surprise you and return the favor.

Or they might be hellions that are just wild. You'll never know until you try. If talking to them doesn't work, then you can always go to the parents, but in some cases, that's gets even more frustrating if you don't get any results.

Remember, kids are people too. They're all different and you can't assume a lot just from observing them. They could just be acting out. A lot depends on their upbringing. I grew up in a nice neighborhood in Ames, and every kid in the area was out at least until dark, not causing trouble, just being kids. I imagine that we got pretty loud on occasion. When you're young, you don't think a lot about that sort of thing.

 

[wonkadog]

One more thing to add. Once some of you have young children (babies) that you have finally got to go to sleep (after an hour of trying) and then you hear a bunch of loud kids "enjoying the last few days of summer" romping around outside in your yard, you will understand the frustration some are expressing in this thread.

 

[dosry5]

One more thing to add. Once some of you have young children (babies) that you have finally got to go to sleep (after an hour of trying) and then you hear a bunch of loud kids "enjoying the last few days of summer" romping around outside in your yard, you will understand the frustration some are expressing in this thread.

This. X's 100. Even worse--Harley guy who thinks he sounds cool.

 

[Cyclonepride]

One more thing to add. Once some of you have young children (babies) that you have finally got to go to sleep (after an hour of trying) and then you hear a bunch of loud kids "enjoying the last few days of summer" romping around outside in your yard, you will understand the frustration some are expressing in this thread.

Agreed. I used to have to lay down with my little dude until I was sure he was completely out, then slowly roll off the bed and do a ninja crawl out of the room. Usually, I'd be 3/4 of the way out of the room when he'd sit up.

 

[egami]

Contech Electronics CRO101 Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler


case closed, next topic.

lol, nice...

 

[richey24]

Agreed. I used to have to lay down with my little dude until I was sure he was completely out, then slowly roll off the bed and do a ninja crawl out of the room. Usually, I'd be 3/4 of the way out of the room when he'd sit up.

Ahhh the ninja crawl, that and learning where every squeaky spot in the floor is in their room and walking around them like they're hot lava, those were the days.

 

[Clonegrad07]

So you never played Hide and Seek, Bloody Murder, Capture the Flag, etc after dark as a kid? Man you missed out.

Don't know bloody murder but played the ther two all the time. you can add kick the can to that list. I still didn't scream and the can was always in my yard. Where my parents were there to get after us if we were too loud.... interesting concept huh? Parents... taking responsibility for their kids actions... weird.

 

[richey24]

Don't know bloody murder but played the ther two all the time. you can add kick the can to that list. I still didn't scream and the can was always in my yard. Where my parents were there to get after us if we were too loud.... interesting concept huh? Parents... taking responsibility for their kids actions... weird.

I'm impressed, a kid playing games with his friends and never screamed...

 

[Cyznutz]

Tell them you have candy in your pocket!

 

[CloneIce]

We ran thru peoples yards playing Army, we rode our bikes around the block racing them against each other, and even played baseball games through numerous peoples yards. I can't think of a single time when I went to the park to play. We even played hide and seek well past 9 when it was dark. I just don't think its a big deal.

I have some kids in my neighborhood (now be it they are high school kids) and they hang out on their front porch and run up and down the street to well past 2 AM. I hear them and I have to get up for work in the morning but I don't worry about it cause they are kids and I know I was the same way so I ain't going to complain and be a hypocrit.

I am also always amussed by people who get upset with kids running across their lawns, 1. they are kids let them play and have fun and 2. it's a lawn for crying out loud. Sorry this last part carries with me from my child hood when I would get yelled at for "cutting a corner" of someones lawn on my bike.

I agree with this totally. 10 and 13 is plenty old to be out unsupervised, all of the kids in my neighborhood would run around and play sports basically every night til dark growing up at that age. Course we lived in a small town and had a huge hospital and high school lawn to play on, and we were friendly with all our neighbors.

But yeah if I was the original poster I would probably just tell them to quiet down since you have to go to bed and play somewhere else other than your yard so you can sleep.

On a side note, I am always amazed when people tell me they get 8 (or in some cases 9) hours of sleep a night. And alot of people do I guess, I just can't remember spending that much time sleeping since I was a kid.

 

[ISUAlum05]

Maybe, maybe not. Like I said earlier, it didn't work for me. I asked politely and was told 9:00 is too early for him not to be working outside.

But make noise at 5 am when they want it to be quiet........wow, different story.

This depends on your noise ordinance. In Cedar Rapids, it's from 10 pm - 7 am, so you would be in the wrong and your neighbor would be in the right. Maybe that is the only time he has to mow the lawn. Not everyone has the same schedule. My husband, who builds houses, has been bitched at for working at 9:30 pm. He politely explains the noise ordinace and that he's trying to make a living and quits working promptly at 10.

 

[Clonefan94]

Honestly, just go say something to their parents. Personally, if it were something as simple as this, I'd appreciate a heads up, rather than the likely story of "Old man ******** next door told us we couldn't play outside dad!"

The story is going to get twisted by the kids, but as a parent, I can easily appreciate that by 9:00 things should start to quiet down around the neighborhood.

 

[06_CY]

I don't have kids so I need a little guidance.

I have a neighbor that has two kids. I would guess that they are around 10 and 13. Every second of every day they are outside and I never see their parents. We live on a corner lot so they are always playing and running through my lot. This itself isn't a big deal but they are constantly screaming. I have to be up at 5am during the week so I'm usually in bed around 9pm. Last night from 9-9:30 all I heard was these kids running around my house screaming. Finally I went outside and asked them if they had a home and to get off my lawn.

Any ideas?

Should I call their parents at 5am in the morning to let the know what it's like to not be able to sleep?

Set up booby traps in the yard?

Is it normal for a 10 year old to be out running around at 9:30 at night?

Am I the grumpy old man in the neighborhood?

First off, it's GRASS, unless you're in a "Cities Best Grass" contest, who cares if they are on it. If you are in that contest, you need to get checked out.

2nd, it's 9-9:30...it's summer...if you go to bed at 9 and they are outside at, say 9:30, you aren't losing much sleep...

3rd, who cares if their parents aren't outside with them. My parents weren't watching me when I was out playing at that age. If it bothers you that much, shell out some money and build a big ol fence, isolate yourself, since you are "that" neighbor.

 

[HOTDON]

I'll take a different approach. I'm thinking back to my childhood, and despite having parents that taught me to respect other peoples property, I'd occasionally cross a boundry I shouldn't have. I remember being set straight by neighbors on several occasions. People who sat me down and calmly explained what I had done wrong, and why it was wrong. Those stuck with me. Goes back to the "it takes a whole village" adage. My parents never heard about any of it because, in general, the point was well taken.

I know it doesn't seem like it should be your responsibility, but maybe setting some boundries for them directly would help. How they respond will probably reflect their upbringing and let you know what to expect if you end up having to talk to the parents.

 

[ISU4ME]

That's right! I used to drink and drive when I was a kid in high school. No way am I going to say something to my kid about it--don't wanna be a hypocrite....

Bad comparison. Drinking and driving does not equal walking on someone's lawn.

Personally, I could care less that kids are outside running around. Better outside than sitting inside watching tv or playing video games. Kids in our neighborhood are outside late at night and it does not bother me.

If it bothers you that much say something. Your neighbors will think you are crazy but hey who cares.

 

[Bubbahotep]

School starts in the next two weeks, suck it up, cut back to 7 hours of sleep a night, then everything will be fine. 7 hours of sleep, I'd be happy with 5.

 

[CyPride]

I don't have kids so I need a little guidance.

I have a neighbor that has two kids. I would guess that they are around 10 and 13. Every second of every day they are outside and I never see their parents. We live on a corner lot so they are always playing and running through my lot. This itself isn't a big deal but they are constantly screaming. I have to be up at 5am during the week so I'm usually in bed around 9pm. Last night from 9-9:30 all I heard was these kids running around my house screaming. Finally I went outside and asked them if they had a home and to get off my lawn.

Any ideas?

Should I call their parents at 5am in the morning to let the know what it's like to not be able to sleep?

Set up booby traps in the yard?

Is it normal for a 10 year old to be out running around at 9:30 at night?

Am I the grumpy old man in the neighborhood?

Some people (adults) lack respect for their neighbors by allowing kids out after dark yelling, etc., or by allowing their dogs to bark any and all time of the day or night. Then many times, if you try to be nice and ask for some relief, they act offended and then they get mad at you.

Tough situation many times, and it shouldn't be.

 

[swammi]

Note than when you ask for free advice, you start the longest threads. I think you are on the right track. Explain to the kids what the deal is and ask for their cooperation. Try to augment with some background noise like a fan or something that makes relaxing noise in your bedroom. If the little darlings get louder or you otherwise can't work it out, go talk to the parents and ask if now and then they can play elsewhere and/or quieter. That's about all that's available. It could have a seasonal component. Later in the year with shorter days and cold temps, the problem may just go away.

 

[AIT]

Maybe if these kids had some sort of youth recreation complex nearby they'd have a better place to play.

 

[Cyclone06]

Maybe if these kids had some sort of youth recreation complex nearby they'd have a better place to play.

Yes! Can we add another % to the sales tax?... this should be priority.